Toshiba Digital Solutions and IAV Group agreed to enter a strategic partnership to jointly develop new approaches for virtual validation of automated driving functions (AD/ADAS). This collaboration will focus on digital products for AI-driven generation of test scenarios, the advancement of distributed co-simulation solutions, and the development of innovative methods for virtual validation.

The shared goal is to lay the foundations for future international certification and homologation processes particularly for highly automated driving functions at Level 3 and above.

In recent years, autonomous driving and vehicle connectivity have progressed rapidly in the automotive industry and other mobility sectors. At the same time, model-based development—which allows design data and expertise to be shared in cyberspace and enables virtual prototyping—has become more advanced and complex. In this context, it has become essential to develop an advanced automotive validation platform that links diverse models and simulation tools based on realistic scenarios generated by AI Large Language Models.

IAV and Toshiba have been collaborating on initial projects that have built a strong foundation of mutual trust and technical alignment. This initial collaboration has paved the way for the joint efforts in advancing automotive virtual validation technologies.

Under the agreement, Toshiba, provider of the distributed co-simulation platform “VenetDCP,” and IAV, a leading global engineering service provider offering AI-driven scenario generation solutions and products like IAV Mela, will combine their respective expertise and technologies in automotive virtual validation. Together, they aim to develop and deploy next-generation virtual validation services for automated driving systems on a global scale. The partnership also aims to establish a global framework for future international certification and homologation processes, with a particular focus on highly automated driving (Level 3 and above).

A central element of the collaboration is the cross-border exchange of know-how and perspectives on methodology and digital product development. The close integration of each company’s cores strengths is expected to foster a joint development approach of international significance.